Mini hydel project violates forest norms

Mini hydel project violates forest norms

November 21, 2011 DC Bengaluru

Forest officials of Sakaleshpura have objected to a proposed mini hydel project in the Western Ghats saying the developers have cheated and misinformed the government. They have lodged an FIR against the developers Maruthi Power Gen (India). The developers have reportedly encroached over an acre into the pristine forests, illegally widened forest roads causing landslides, disposed waste that is obstructing the flow of Hongadalla River, affecting aquatic fauna, illegally constructed bridge against the Hongadalla River inside the forests, dumped debris in forests and constructed permanent labour quarters within forests.

The company is constructing a run-of-the-river mini-hydel power project in Kagneri and Kenchankumari Reserved Forests in Sakleshpur Range of Hassan District. The area is pristine rainforest habitat and has several endangered wildlife species including tiger, elephant, leopard, flying squirrel, pied hornbill, Nilgiri marten all protected under The Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The large-scale blasting undertaken to dig tunnels have been disturbing wildlife, large-scale felling of old mature rainforest trees has disturbed the pristine habitat for birds, reptiles and other species. Similarly the company has formed roads inside this fragile eco-system leading landslides in the area. Wildlife conservationists have even challenged this project in the High Court of Karnataka saying there have been procedural lapses in giving permission. It includes purposely dividing the project into two separate ones to avoid the scrutiny of the Forest Advisory Committee, Ministry of Forests and Environment to which projects have to be forwarded if the diversion of forest land includes over 5 ha.

"The company has taken permission for two separate projects of 18.90 MW and 19.00 MW to avoid further scrutiny as mini-hydel projects can only be up to 25 MW. If any project is above 25 MW they cannot be considered as min-hydel projects and will require Environment Impact Assessment and public hearing," said a forest officer. Based on complaints from wildlife conservationists recently forest minister C.P.Yogeeshwara made field visits to the project site and found serious damage to forests and environment. During his field visit the minister instructed the officials to take serious note about the violations.

This is the normal practice. First they apply as a small unit to be within the norms and then set up another unit. Unfortunately, prosecution is often delayed and if at all they are punished, then it is very less. Let us hope that the media follows this issue and continues to report the progress in this case.